We are Bourne winners not at all defensive

Shelbourne v Galway United Tolka Park, 7.45pm

BY

DAMIEN DUFF has laughed off claims that Shelbourne are a defensive team.

But the Reds boss (above) is demanding more from his players in possession, than they have shown so far.

Shels host Galway United at Tolka Park tonight in an intriguing clash between two of the Premier Divison’s form sides.

Duff’s team are joint top of the table after three matches, with an identical record to

Derry City while newly promoted Galway are just one point off them in third.

Shels and Galway have both won two of their three games, with the Reds winning 1-0 in Sligo on Friday while Galway scored late to floor Waterford 2-1 at home.

But while Duff is thrilled with the start, he insists there is always room for improvement.

“It’s been aimed at us that we’re a defensive team but I’ve said it many times, come in and watch us train because there’s nothing defensive about how we play,” he said.

“But it’s very simple – if you do not keep the football you will defend and that will never change.

“It paid dividends on Friday that we were well set up and defended with our lives. We respected the defensive side of it and you could argue that got us over the line.

“It was an incredible win and I never expected it to be pretty.

“I warned the lads before the game that you can talk about patterns of play and doing this and that all you want, but sometimes you just have to find a way.”

Sligo had more possession but Shels ground out the win with new signing John O’sullivan (left) credited with the final touch of the only goal.

But Duff insists Shels need to be better tonight if they are to beat a Galway side whose confidence is sky high on their top flight return.

Duff added: “Defensively, yeah great, we defended crosses against Sligo but, as I said to the guys, on the ball we were very, very poor.

“We couldn’t string four, five or six passes together. The subs made an impact and got us up the pitch and we got a few chances off it.

“Sligo had the ball for near on the whole game, but we had the better chances and restricted them to long shots.

“I was disappointed with our in-possession stuff but, as a whole, it was a brilliant win.”